JOURNEYING WITH YOUTH
Fr Peter Hosking SJ, Rector, Saint Ignatius’ College Adelaide, gave this address at the end-of-year Mass for staff.
As we wrap up a busy year, we are grateful for your dedication, hard work and commitment to our students and families. Your passion and faith in our Catholic school’s mission have truly made a difference. Despite the year’s challenges and opportunities, your efforts have inspired our students and families to embrace service, justice and compassion, leaving a lasting impact on both our community and beyond.
Across Australia, there are around 1,800 Catholic schools, educating more than 800,000 students and employing about 100,000 staff. Catholic schools are the largest provider of faith-based education, with one in five Australian students attending a Catholic school. In South Australia alone, there are more than 100 Catholic schools, serving 55,000 students and employing 9,000 staff.
In the health sector, the Church operates 80 Catholic hospitals with more than 12,000 beds, alongside 27,000 residential aged care beds. The Catholic Church is the largest non-government welfare provider through agencies such as Centacare and St Vincent de Paul and is also a leading contributor for aid and development work through Caritas, JRS and others.
The Church serves over five million Catholics in Australia, with 600,000 regularly attending a parish Eucharist. Worldwide, there are 1.4 billion baptised Catholics out of 8 billion people. Despite challenges, the Church continues to grow. Martyrs still die for the faith and the justice we hold dear.
The Jesuit Education Network spans over 850 schools worldwide, educating nearly 900,000 students with the help of over 50,000 Jesuits and Partners in Mission. This network is much larger when we include Jesuit universities and the work of Jesuit Refugee Service and Fe Y Alegria.
Earlier this year, Fr General Arturo Sosa SJ visited Australia. He challenged Jesuit schools to lead boldly in key areas. These responsibilities belong to all of us.
- Innovation in education: Use research-based practices to adapt and thrive in a rapidly changing world.
- Spiritual formation: Recontextualise our Catholic faith and Ignatian ethos to promote service and spirituality within the Church.
- Education for justice: Foster critical thinking on inequality, cultural differences and global responsibility.
- Care for our common home: Promote environmental stewardship, encouraging responsible actions to protect and sustain our planet.
- Protection of the vulnerable: Create a culture that prioritises the safety and well-being of students and vulnerable individuals.
Advances in AI, automation and technology are reshaping industries, demanding new approaches to learning. To flourish, students must develop critical thinking, problem-solving, adaptability, curiosity, empathy and entrepreneurial mindsets.
At our College, we blend academic excellence with innovative pedagogy, focusing on faith and service. Our mission is to inspire students to lead and serve with purpose, shaping a future rooted in hope, justice and love, equipped to face challenges with confidence and compassion.
These responsibilities belong to us all. As we engage with our strategic plan at Saint Ignatius’ College Adelaide, we might consider how our work aligns with our four strategic pathways:
- Mission: Build hope through faith, Christian virtues and commitment to service and justice.
- Learning: Foster curiosity and growth in a learning environment that inspires other-centred impact.
- Wellbeing: Create a community of kindness, respect and support, where everyone feels valued.
- Stewardship: Prepare for the future through responsible, innovative and sustainable practices.
Together, we can bring this vision to life. Someone recently shared: Ignatius starts with I and ends with US. This reminds us of our shared vocation as companions in ministry and partners on mission. Together, we form a community dedicated to serving students, families, and one another, with gratitude for every role we play.
We are co-responsible for this mission—active contributors to a purpose greater than ourselves. Whether educators, support staff, coaches or groundskeepers, each of us helps create a safe and sure space where young people grow in faith, service, and purpose.
Our work reflects love for those entrusted to us, contributing to the flourishing of students and community. Together, we shape compassionate leaders who value justice and kindness. Let us draw strength from our shared faith and continue with courage and humility.
As you take a well-earned break, may you reflect on the lives you’ve touched and the seeds you’ve planted. May this time bring renewal and joy. Thank you for all you do.
Banner image: Zolnierek, Canva.
To enquire about becoming a Jesuit in Australia, contact vocations@sjasl.org.au and for more info, visit our Vocations page.